Levy, Stratton Join NYSTRS Board

Scott R. Levy and Dr. Mark R. Stratton have joined the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System (NYSTRS) Board of Trustees. Their three-year terms commenced July 1, 2025. 

Levy is a school boards association member on the Retirement System’s Board. He was elected to the seat by the New York State Board of Regents on the recommendation of the New York State School Boards Association, as mandated by statute. He has served on the Byram Hills Board of Education since 2015, including three years as president and two as vice president. He is also past president of the Westchester Putnam School Boards Association and serves on the New York State School Boards Association’s Investment Advisory Committee.  

A partner at Lynrock Lake LP, an investment management firm serving primarily endowments and foundations, Levy previously held senior positions at Barclays PLC, Lehman Brothers and J.P. Morgan & Co. and led private investment initiatives at Klingenstein Fields Advisors. He serves on several nonprofit boards, including the board at Blythedale Children’s Hospital for which he served as chairman for five years. 

Levy is a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned his A.B. in economics. He is currently an adjunct lecturer at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education.  

He succeeds Paul J. Farfaglia who served as a school boards association member of the Board for nearly two years. Previously, Farfaglia served as a teacher member on the Board for 10 years until his retirement from teaching in 2019. 

Dr. Stratton, superintendent of schools at Corinth Central School District, is a school administrator member of the System’s Board. He was appointed by New York State Commissioner of Education Dr. Betty A. Rosa.  

Dr. Stratton has served at his current superintendent position since 2016 and previously held principal and assistant principal roles at Glens Falls and Ballston Spa high schools, respectively.  

A graduate of Hartwick College, Dr. Stratton earned his master’s degree in teaching from the University at Albany, a doctorate in education from Sage Graduate School, and additional certifications in educational leadership and administration from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.  

Dr. Stratton serves on the Executive Committee of the Capital Area School Development Association (CASDA). He also sits on the board of directors of the Lake Placid Club Lodges and the Saratoga Regional YMCA Board of Trustees, where he formerly served as president. He previously served on the New York State Council of School Superintendents House of Delegates and the board of directors of the Leadership for Educational Achievement Foundation (LEAF). 

Dr. Stratton succeeds Dr. L. Oliver Robinson, former superintendent of Shenendehowa Central School District, who retired after serving on the Board for 15 years. 

NYSTRS’ Board sets policy and oversees operations for the Retirement System. The 10 members of the Board serve without compensation and represent various constituents, including active and retired teachers, school administrators, school boards, and financial experts. They are responsible as fiduciaries to protect the long-term value of the System’s investment portfolio and provide benefit security for its nearly 455,000 active members, retirees and beneficiaries. 

“On behalf of NYSTRS, I welcome Scott and Mark to the Board,” said NYSTRS Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer Thomas K. Lee. “Their vast experience on school boards and in the field of education will be an asset to the Retirement System and our stakeholders.” 

“I thank Paul and Oliver for their service to the Retirement System and our members,” continued Lee. “They were dedicated to providing a secure retirement to our members and ensuring the needs of our participating employers were met. Paul and Oliver were committed to providing our members with exceptional service and they were prudent stewards of assets, ensuring the System was well positioned for our second century.”